Quote from Forum Archives on September 23, 2003, 8:04 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

For those of you who are interested, here are a list of short
scripture messages, prayers and thoughts for you to consider this
week. Some, hopefully all, of this week's verses are familiar ones.
It's good to reinforce what we remember and think about it often.
This is particularly true when it comes to scripture. At the same
time, we have a tendency to gloss over the words of scripture, rather
than allow them to really penetrate into our hearts. I urge you to use
scripture as a springboard for meditation and prayer - the things you
think about during the day. I guarantee that when you do so, God will
put a fresh perspective on everything - even our struggles.

I pray that God will do a good work in us through His Word - and even
use these humble words, to His honor and glory.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

____________________________

Weekly Verses
from Crosswalk.com
www.crosswalk.com

These verses are taken from TODAY'S VERSE, by Phil Ware
< www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/>

~~~~~~~~~
MONDAY

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by
his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from
wisdom.

--James 3:13
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Wisdom is proven right by the character of a loving
lifestyle. It is so easy, however, for someone to be
arrogantly intelligent and be dumber than a post at spiritual
wisdom. Which are you closer to in your walk with Jesus --
wisdom expressed through humble and loving lifestyle or smart
with feelings of superiority and arrogance?

MY PRAYER...
Loving Shepherd, I know you have been a wise and loving
Father to me. Help me to share that care you have lavished on
me on the person who most needs it today. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

TUESDAY

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

--Ephesians 5:8
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Before and after -- that's the story of grace. "I once was
lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." If we could
only fully grasp what we so easily sing then life would be
filled with more grace and our churches with more confident
servants of God.

MY PRAYER...
Lord God Almighty, by your grace I know today that I stand
before you welcomed into your presence and received as a
beloved child. Thank you for rescuing me from all the traps of
the darkness and bringing me into your light. Guide my heart
and my feet so they will walk your path and show forth your
light. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

WEDNESDAY

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you
should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interest of others.

--Philippians 2:3-4
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Do you remember one of the earliest questions in the Bible?
"Where is your brother Abel?" To which Cain responded: "Am I
my brother's keeper?" Paul's answer is a clear and undeniable
yes! We must look to the interest of others and not just our
own.

MY PRAYER...
Father, teach me to love your family as you do. I get so
caught up and distracted with my own world and my own problems
that I forget to notice those who are hurting. Help me to grow
more aware and more attune to those needs so you may minister
through me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

THURSDAY

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

--Ephesians 4:29
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
The goal in Christian communication is not merely clarity,
but encouragement based on what the needs of the other person
are.

MY PRAYER...
Tender Shepherd, give me a heart that is pure so that my
words may be pure. Give me a heart that is kind so that my
words may be kind. Give me a heart that is full of joy and
encouragement so that I may share these with those you bring to
my path and with whom I share conversation. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

FRIDAY

Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn
rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both
autumn and spring rains.
--Joel 2:23
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
"The prayers go up and the blessings come down..." The
words to this children's song are only half right, because God
sends his blessings many times even when we don't pray. But
with the special smell that comes with a drought-breaking rain,
God loves the aroma of his children's joy, especially when he
is the source of its delight!

MY PRAYER...
Holy God and Tender Father, you are my great delight. When
all others fail, you are still God. You are a rock and
fortress, you are a tender shepherd, and you are a solid
mountain that cannot be shaken. Your blessings and grace shower
upon me and fill me with joy. I can't wait for the day I get
to see you face to face and delight in your presence. Until
then, I will see you faith to face and rejoice in anticipation.
Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SATURDAY

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

--2 Corinthians 13:14
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
I have a friend in Jesus who has taught me the power of
blessings. I can't think of a better one! Grace, love and
fellowship rooted in the eternal, sacrificial, and gracious
nature of our God, and we share it with God's children all
around the world.

MY PRAYER...
Father, I am thinking of several precious friends who need
the richness of this blessing to fall upon them. Please bless
them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

SUNDAY

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order
to bring praise to God.

--Romans 15:7
New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
I hate racism and exclusivity. But my loathing does not
even approach God's revulsion at these things. On the other
hand, we can anticipate the choir of heaven if we will accept
one another in Jesus and not let race, language, culture, or
suspicion keep us from loving each other as we have already
been loved by the Savior.

MY PRAYER...
Holy and Righteous Father, I pray that we will let your
Spirit and your grace help us tear down any wall that divides
your people based on race, culture, or privilege. Teach us,
teach me, to love all people the way you do. Through Jesus I
pray. Amen.

____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________

* Copyright (c) 2002 Crosswalk.com, Inc. and its Content
Providers. All rights reserved.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
sitebuilder.yahoo.com